Immunomodulatory of sesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid dimers-based toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) from Dysoxylum parasiticum stem bark

In recent decades, the interest in natural products with immunomodulatory properties has increased due to their therapeutic potential. These products have a wider range of pharmacological activities and demonstrate lower toxicity levels when compared to their synthetic counterparts. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of sesquiterpenoids (SQs) and sesquiterpenoid dimers (SQDs) isolated from Dysoxylum parasiticum (Osbeck) Kosterm. stem bark on human and murine cells, particularly focusing on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Utilizing the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) assay on engineered human and murine TLR4 of HEK-Blue cells, antagonist TLR4 compounds were identified, including SQs 6, 9, and 10, as well as SQDs 17 and 22. The results showed that 10-hydroxyl-15-oxo-α-cadinol (9) had a potent ability to reduce TLR4 activation induced by LPS stimulation, with minimal toxicity observed in both human and murine cells. The SEAP assay also revealed diverse immune regulatory effects for the same ligand. For instance, SQs 12, 14, and 16 transitioned from antagonism on human to murine TLR4. The SQs (4, 7, 11, and 15) and SQDs (18–20) offered partial antagonist effect exclusively on murine TLR4. Furthermore, these selected SQs and SQDs were assessed for their influence on the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6 of the NF-κB signaling pathway in human and murine macrophage cell lines, showing a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, a brief discussion on the structure-activity relationship was presented.


Modulation of SQs and SQDs on TLR4 signaling in HEK-Blue cells
In order to evaluate the influence of isolated SQs and SQDs on the TLR4 signaling, we investigated the modulation of compounds 1-22 to antagonize TLR4 activation in LPS-stimulated cells, as well as examined their ability to act as TLR4 agonists in the absence of LPS.The immunomodulatory activity on a reporter gene cell line for human (HEK-Blue™ hTLR4) and a separate murine TLR4 (HEK-Blue™ mTLR4) was screened.These cells were engineered to stably express the human (hTLR4, hMD-2, and hCD14) and murine receptors (mTLR4, mMD-2, and mCD14) of the endotoxin recognition complex, as well as a SEAP reporter gene, respectively.The SEAP was controlled by NF-κB and AP-1 of TLR4-dependent transcription factors.Since assay optimization indicated saturation at 10 ng/mL on HEK-Blue mTLR4 cell (Fig. S1), the concentrations used in this experiment were 10 ng/mL and 1 ng/mL LPS on human and murine TLR4, respectively.As shown in Fig. 2a SQDs 17 and 22 inhibited signaling against HEK-Blue cells.The relative inhibition was lower than 60% of activation at a concentration of 20 μM by the presence of LPS, yielding a concentration-dependent response ranging from 0.1 to 20 μM (Fig. 2c,d).Compound 9, identified as 10-hydroxyl-15-oxo-α-cadinol exhibited the strongest antagonist with relative inhibition of TLR4 activation ranging from 70 to 85% at concentration of 20 μM, without adversely affecting cell viability.Additionally, 4β-10α-dihydroxyaromadendrane (6) and another SQ, first originated from D. parasiticum, namely dysotican A (10) had strong antagonistic effect (70%) against these two cells and slightly showed lower cell viability (< 80%) against both HEK-Blue cells at 20 μM.The SQDs, first derived from this plant, particularly dysotican H (22) displayed moderate antagonistic with negligible toxicity to cells (> 80%) at 20 μM (Fig. 2a,b).Although dysotican C (17) showed toxicity effects at 10 μM, the evaluation in lower concentrations suggested that 17 moderately inhibited the LPS stimulation at 1 μM and strong inhibition at 5 μM without significant cytotoxicity, especially against a separate murine TLR4 (Fig. 2c,d, Figs.S2, S3).Several compounds performed inconsistency effects on human and murine TLR4 receptors.The SQs 12, 14, and 16 switched from antagonism hTLR4 to agonism mTRL4, while 4, 7, 11, and 15 as well as SQDs 18, 19, and 20 presented partial antagonism against HEK-Blue mTLR4 (Fig. 2c-g).The viability assay confirmed that these compounds did not affect cell viability (Fig. 2a,b, Figs.S2, S3).

The effect of potent SQs and SQDs on proinflammatory cytokines in human and murine TLR4 cells
Cytokines play an important role in innate immunity as mediators engaged in the elimination of invading foreign pathogens through the TLRs 25 .Macrophages contribute to enhancing both adaptive and innate immune responses 26 .Activated macrophages secrete proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6, leading to the induction of NF-κB proteins 27 .As the two HEK-Blue cells are transgenic cell lines, to further confirm the modulation effects of potent SQs and SQDs on human and murine TLR4, human monocyte THP-1 and murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells served as in vitro models, using the natural TLR4 signaling system, by an ELISA experiment.Initially, the differentiation of the monocyte THP-1 cell lines into macrophage-like cells was performed by PMA-induction before compound treatment.
The effects of antagonists (6, 9, 10, 17, 22), contrasting effects (12, 14, 16), and partial antagonists (4, 7, 11, 15, 18, 19, and 20) of SQs and SQDs on PMA-treated THP-1 and RAW 264.7 cells, were evaluated.These two cells were then exposed to different concentrations of SQ and SQD variants (0.1-20 μM) in the presence and absence of LPS for up to 24 h.Cell viability was tested after treatment by using a CCK-8 reagent.As shown in Figs.S4, S5, all the SQs and SQDs of interest did not show any cytotoxicity in THP-1 and RAW 264.7 cells even at a high concentration of 20 μM, except for 17, which indicates toxicity at 10 μM.The three major proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) were used to determine whether the potent SQs and SQDs isolated from the stem bark of D. parasiticum were engaged in the TLR4 activation.TNF-α and IL-1 are crucial cytokines in Table 1.The chemistry of isolated sesquiterpenoids (SQs) and sesquiterpenoid dimers (SQDs) along with their activity against human and murine TLR4.ELISA results revealed that the antagonist SQs (6, 9, and 10) could significantly suppress IL-1β production in PMA-treated THP-1 cells.These three antagonists strongly suppressed the secretion of TNF-α and completely inhibited LPS simulation driven IL-6 at concentration of 10 μM, as shown in Fig. 3a.Similarly, in RAW 264.7 cells, antagonist SQs 6, 9, and 10 had strong inhibition on TNF-α expression, as well as reduced the IL-6 cytokine to the same level as negative control at 20 μM in the presence of LPS 1 ng/mL.Additionally, the role of IL-1 signaling was investigated using IL-1α due to the murine RAW 264.7 being naturally deficient in a CARD domain (ASC) of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, preventing the activation of pro-caspase-1 and the production of IL-1β 28 .The potential of SQ antagonists (6, 9, and 10) as immunosuppressive agents was also complemented by the decrement of IL-1α level in murine TLR4 cells (Fig. 3b).In SQD antagonists, compounds 17 and 22 acted promising anti-inflammatory agents.Despite dysotican C (17) having cytotoxic effect in THP-1 and RAW 264.7 cell lines at 10 μM (Figs.S4, S5), it might still be used as immunosuppressive agent at a lower concentration.The considerable immunosuppressive activity of 17 was proved by the ELISA results, as demonstrated in Fig. 4b.The data showed that production of the three proinflammatory cytokines used against human and murine macrophage cells reduced when treated by 5 μM of 17, specifically decreased the level of IL-1β, IL-6 in PMA-induced THP cells as well as TNF-α, IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells.Furthermore, dysotican H ( 22) negatively modulated TLR4 signaling, promoting the three cytokines at 10 μM in a concentration dependent manner (Fig. 4a,b).These data clearly proved the potency of these SQ and SQD antagonists as negative regulators in human and murine cells, offering potential for anti-inflammatory drug discoveries.In particular, SQ dysotican A (10), and SQDs dysoticans C (17), H (22) represent compounds first isolated from this plant.

Compounds
For compounds exhibiting divergent effects, namely 2,15-dihydroxycalamenene (12), aristelegone A ( 14), and eudesm-4(15)-ene-1β,6β-diol (16), their function as agonists for human TLR4 translated into a consequential agonistic impact on murine TLR4.The ELISA results (Fig. 5a) suggested a moderate reduction in IL-1β and a strong inhibition of IL-6 levels by the presence of 10 ng/mL LPS along with stimulations of 12, 14, and 16 at 10 μM in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells.Simultaneously, the agonist effects were proved by an elevation in the level of IL-1α and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells (Fig. 5b).Considering the SEAP data (Fig. 2a,b), it becomes apparent that these compounds had lower activity compared to SQ antagonists (6, 9, and 10) and showed moderate agonists mTLR4.The TNF-α cytokine is a major pathway to activate the NF-κB signaling, as 12, 14, and 16 failed to suppress and recruit the TNF-α level, unlike other SQ antagonists and agonists with significant activities observed in HEK cells.In contrast, the expression of IL-1α did not significantly contribute to the immunostimulant mTLR4 (SEAP), as their effects on activating TLR4 were relatively similar at concentration of 20 μM (Figs.2e,f, 5b).

Structure-activity relationships of SQs and SQDs in their activity on TLR4 receptor
A series of guaiane compounds 1-4 suggested the impacts of several functional groups on their immunomodulatory TLR4 activities.Among these compounds, 4 was the only guaiane variant with activity as immunosuppressive agent against murine cells.These implied that an attachment of hydroperoxide at C-1 of 1 had no effects on its activity since 2 and 3 without hydroperoxide group displayed no activity.The inactive effects of 1-3 compared to 4 also confirmed that hydroxyls at C-4 and C-10 were not crucial on their activity as immunomodulator agents.According to the conclusion from SAR analysis, the Δ 7,8 in 4 plays a dominant role to its activity within the guaiane series of 1-4.This assignment was deduced by the presence of 1-hydroperoxide in 1, 4-OH in 3 and 4, 7-OH in 1 and 4, as well as Δ 6,7 in 2 and 3.Meanwhile, two series of aromadendrane compounds indicated that the substitution of 14-methyl and hydroxyl at C-10 in 6 enhanced the immunosuppressive effect on the TLR4 receptor.Conversely, the antagonist activity was rendered inactive when these functional groups were replaced by 14-methylene sp 2 .The existence of 15-aldehyde in a cadinene compound is a key moiety in the structural composition 9, acting as an antagonist TLR4 agent.This was in contrast to its analog 8 that was inactive due to the occurrence of 15-methyl.Based on the biological activity of compounds 10 and 17, hydroxyl at C-3 was responsible for the immunosuppressive effect of 10, while the dimerization strongly increased cytotoxicity against TLR4-based cells.In addition, the epimerization of methyl at C-10 and isopropyl at C-7 in 10 and 17 might be affecting their immunomodulatory activity and cytotoxicity.Similar cadinanes, compounds 11 and 12 by the double bond movement showed that Δ 6,7 is favorable for partial antagonist against murine TLR4 cells of 11.On the other hand, Δ 1,6 is responsible for the switching effect depending on the origin of TLR4 in 12.The hydroxyl at C-2 in the tris-nor-cadinane of 13 showed contrasting effects depending on the origin of the receptor (human or mouse)

Conclusions
In conclusion, this study evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of 16 SQs and six SQDs previously isolated from D. parasiticum (Osbeck).Kosterm stem bark on TLR4 receptor of human and murine cells.Based on the results, SQs 6, 9, and 10 and SQDs 17 and 22 were classified as antagonist TLR4 on both cells.Among these compounds, 10-hydroxyl-15-oxo-α-cadinol (9) was discovered to be the most potent anti-inflammatory agent without negative effects on cell viability.On the other hand, several compounds, including SQs 4, 7, 11, and 15 as well as SQDs 18, 19, and 22, regulated partial antagonist exclusively on murine TLR4 cells.A switching effect was observed during the transition from human to murine TLR4/MD-2/CD14 system with SQs 12, 14, and 16 moving from antagonistic hTLR4 to agonistic mTLR4.Furthermore, a brief structure-activity relationship presented the impacts of double bond position, attachment of hydroxyl, aldehyde, and methyl groups, as well as position of hydroxyl and epimerization, which are crucial to the immune regulating system on TLR4 receptor.

Extract preparation and isolation of SQs and SQDs
D. parasiticum (Osbeck) Kosterm.was collected from Bogor Herbarium Botanical Garden (BHBG), West Java Province, Indonesia (latitude -6.597629, longitude 106.799568, elevation 277 m), where it is widely cultivated.Identification and authentification of the plant were conducted at the BHGB by Mr. Harto, an expert in the BHGB, and a voucher specimen (III.F.79) was deposited for the plant species.Collection and experimental research on this plant comply with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation.
The dried stem bark was powdered and extracted with MeOH.Subsequently, 16 SQs and 6 SQDs were isolated from the n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts by chromatography over silica gel, followed by purification on reverse phase ODS, as described in previous publications 22-24 .

SEAP NF-κB-dependent reporter assay
HEK-Blue cells (hTLR4 and mTLR4, InvivoGen) were cultured in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) high glucose supplemented with 1% penicillin-streptomycin and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS).A 96-well multiwell plate was seeded with a total of 2 × 10 4 cells/well in medium supplemented with 1% penicillin-streptomycin.The plate was incubated at 37 ℃, 5% CO 2 , and 95% humidity overnight.Subsequently, the supernatants were replaced by fresh DMEM high glucose (supplemented with 0.1% FBS and 1% penicillin-streptomycin).Samples were added at different concentrations (0.1; 1; 5; 10; and 20 μM) and exposed to 10 ng/mL and 1 ng/mL of LPS from E. coli (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Co., Ltd) for hTLR4 and mTLR4, respectively, up to 24 h.Additionally, supernatants containing SEAP were gathered and combined with para-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) at room temperature for 4 h.A microplate reader was used to measure the optical density (OD) at 405 nm.
RAW 264.7 cells (EC91062702-F0) were purchased from the Kyorin Pharmaceutical Group Factories Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd, Japan and cultured in DMEM high glucose, supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. Cell scraper was used to detach cells, and the cell concentration was estimated by Trypan Blue (Sigma-Aldrich).Furthermore, a density of 1 × 10 4 cells/well was seeded into 96-well plates in fresh DMEM high glucose (1% FBS, + 1% penicillin-streptomycin, and + 10 mM HEPES).Following overnight incubation (37 ℃, 5% CO2, 95% humidity), the cells were treated with increasing concentrations of samples dissolved in EtOH and diluted in DMEM.After 1 h, cells were stimulated with 10 ng/mL of LPS for up to 24 h.
For the determination of cytokine production, supernatants of THP-1 and RAW 264.7 were collected and tested using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The proinflammatory cytokines of TNF-α (LOT: 218819-004, Invitrogen), IL-1β (LOT: 252921-005, Invitrogen), and IL-6 (LOT: 23638-011, Invitrogen) from human uncoated ELISA kit were adopted for THP-1 supernatant.Meanwhile, the RAW 264.7 supernatant was analyzed using murine uncoated ELISA kit of TNF-α (LOT: 306473-002, Invitrogen), IL-1α (LOT: B352593, Biolegend), and IL-6 (309364-001, Invitrogen).The assay was conducted according to the specification of the manufacturer, including the coating of capture antibody, blocking using ELISPOT, adding the collected supernatant, and preparation of the standard of protein of interest.The measurement of targeted proinflammatory cytokines was performed by adding the detection antibody, enzyme of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and substrate of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB).Additionally, the OD was observed on a microplate reader at 450 nm.

Viability assay
Cell viability was assessed after supernatant collection.The monolayers of remaining cells (HEK-Blue hTLR4, HEK-Blue mTLR4, THP-1, and RAW 264.7) in the 96-well plates were added with 90 μL/well of new medium and 10 μL/well of cell counting kit 8 (CCK8).Additionally, the formazan concentration was determined by measuring the OD at 450 nm on a microplate reader.

Statistical analysis
All experiments were performed independently in 4 replicates.The results were normalized with control cells which were not exposed to any drug.The GraphPad Prism 8 software (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA) was used to generate the statistical analyses.In addition, each data was visualized as the mean ± standard

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. The SEAP assay and cytotoxicity of compounds 1-22 with the presence and absence of LPS against HEK-Blue™ hTLR4 (a) and HEK-Blue™ mTLR4 (b).The dose-dependent actions of the selected compounds with the antagonist (LPS-stimulated) on hTLR4 (c) and mTLR4 (d), switching effects with LPS-stimulated on hTLR4 (e) and NO LPS on mTLR4 (f), and partial antagonist (LPS-stimulated) on mTLR4 (g).